Concepts of Genetics 11th Edition by William Klug,Michael Cummings,Charlotte Spencer,Michael Palladino

Exercise 3

A number of genes involved in susceptibility to inflammatory bowel disorders (IBDs), including Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis, have been identified. However, it is clear that other risk factors, both genetic and nongenetic, are important in triggering the onset of these diseases. Recent research has centered on understanding the role of the gut microbiome and its interactions with the host genome in IBD. It is known that the microbiome of those with IBD is different from that of those whose IBD is in remission, and it is also different from that of people who do not have IBD. These observations suggest that transfer of microbiota from unaffected individuals via fecal microbial transplantation (FMT) might be a successful treatment for IBD. This idea is supported by the use of FMT as an effective treatment in IBD individuals for a potentially life-threatening infection caused by the bacterium Clostridium difficile. Currently, four clinical trials are underway to evaluate the use of FMT as a treatment for IBD.
Before agreeing to FMT, what would you want to know about the microbiomes of individuals who do not have IBD?